1. A method of leasing a casino gaming machine from a casino gaming machine supplier for placement on a gaming floor of a casino, said method comprising:
determining a monetary average machine net win in monetary units per casino gaming machine per unit of time for a group of existing casino gaming machines located on said gaming floor of said casino, said monetary average machine net win being calculated by dividing a total net win amount for a first time period at all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group by the total number of said existing casino gaming machines in said group of casino gaming machines, said total net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group minus a total paid out amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award;
receiving said leased casino gaming machine from said casino gaming machine supplier, said leased casino gaming machine comprising a game display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller that is programmed to allow a player to make a wager, to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game, and to cause a video image representing one of the following games to be generated on said game display unit: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo;
placing said leased casino gaming machine at said casino;
determining a monetary payment amount for said leased casino gaming machine for a second time period based on said average machine net win, said monetary payment amount corresponding to a percentage of a leased machine net win amount for said leased casino gaming machine, said percentage being less than 50% and greater than 2% and said leased machine net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount at said leased casino gaming machine over said second time period minus a total amount paid out to all players playing at said leased casino gaming machine over said second time period and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award over the second time period; and
paying said monetary payment amount to said casino gaming machine supplier for said leased casino gaming machine if said monetary payment amount is greater than zero.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 comprising the step of paying said monetary payment amount on a monthly basis.
3. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of subtracting an additional monetary amount from said leased machine net win amount in determining said monetary payment amount.
4. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising adjusting said monetary payment amount if said leased machine net win amount is determined to be less than said average machine net win.
5. A method as defined in claim 1 comprising determining said monetary payment corresponding to a variable percentage of said leased machine net win amount.
6. A method as defined in claim 1 comprising negotiating said percentage prior to receiving said leased casino gaming machine from said casino gaming machine supplier.
7. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on a characteristic associated with each of said existing gaming machines in said group.
8. A method as defined in claim 7, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based a geographic characteristic.
9. A method as defined in claim 8, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on one of the following geographic characteristics: at least one of a bank of casino gaming machines, at least one section of floor space, or an entire casino.
10. A method as defined claim 7, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on one of the following common characteristics: a denomination, a title, a theme, a math model, a common system connection, a common jackpot.
11. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising adjusting said monetary payment amount based on a national consumer price index if said leased machine net win amount is determined to be less than said average machine net win amount.
12. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising modifying a game content provided to said leased casino gaming machine for said same monetary payment amount.
13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said first time period is concurrent with said second time period.
14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said second time period is subsequent to said first time period.
15. A method of leasing a gaming machine from a gaming machine supplier for placement at a facility, said method comprising:
determining a monetary average machine net win in monetary units per gaming machine per unit of time for a group of existing gaming machines located at said facility, said monetary average machine net win being calculated by dividing a total net win amount for a first time period at all of said existing gaming machines in said group by the total number of said existing gaming machines in said group of gaming machines, said total net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount for all of said existing gaming machines in said group minus a total paid out amount for all of said existing gaming machines in said group and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award;
receiving said leased gaming machine from said gaming machine supplier, said leased gaming machine comprising a game display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller that is programmed to allow a player to make a wager, to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game, and to cause a video image representing one of the following games to be generated on said game display unit: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo;
placing said leased gaming machine at said facility; and
determining a monetary payment amount for said leased gaming machine for a second time period based on said average machine net win, said monetary payment amount being calculated by subtracting a percentage of a leased machine net win amount for said leased gaming machine from said leased machine net win amount, said percentage being less than 98% and greater than 50% and said leased machine net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount at said leased gaming machine over said second time period minus a total amount paid out to all players playing at said leased gaming machine over said second time period and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award over the second time period.
16. A method as defined in claim 15 comprising adjusting said monetary payment amount if said leased machine net win amount is determined to be less than said average machine net win.
17. A method as defined in claim 15 further comprising the step of subtracting an additional monetary amount from said leased machine net win amount in determining said monetary payment amount.
18. A method as defined in claim 15 comprising determining said monetary payment corresponding to a variable percentage of said leased machine net win amount.
19. A method as defined in claim 15, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on one of the following common characteristics: a denomination, a title, a theme, a math model, a common system connection, a common jackpot.
20. A method as defined in claim 15, comprising increasing said monetary payment amount by a percentage of said total coin-in amount.
21. A method as defined in claim 15, comprising modifying a game content provided to said leased gaming machine for said same monetary payment amount.
22. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein said second time period is concurrent with said first time period.
23. A method of leasing a casino gaming machine to a casino for placement on a gaming floor of said casino, said method comprising:
receiving from said casino information relating to a monetary average machine net win in monetary units per casino gaming machine per unit of time for a group of existing casino gaming machines located on said gaming floor of said casino, said monetary average machine net win being calculated by dividing a total net win amount for a first time period at all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group by the total number of said existing casino gaming machines in said group of casino gaming machines, said total net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group minus a total paid out amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award, said group of existing gaming machines being defined based on a characteristic associated with each of said gaming machines in said group;
negotiating a lease percentage to be taken of a leased machine net win amount over a second time period, said negotiated percentage being based on said monetary average machine net win and said percentage being less than 50% and greater than 2%;
leasing said leased casino gaming machine to said casino, said leased gaming machine comprising a game display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller that is programmed to allow a player to make a wager, to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game, and to cause a video image representing one of the following games to be generated on said game display unit: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo; and
receiving from said casino a monetary payment amount for said second time period in exchange for leasing said leased casino gaming machine, said monetary payment amount equaling said percentage of said leased machine net win amount for said leased casino gaming machine, said leased machine net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount at said leased casino gaming machine over said second time period minus a total amount paid out to all players playing at said leased casino gaming machine over said second time period and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award over the second time period.
24. A method as defined in claim 23, comprising paying said casino said monetary payment amount if said leased machine net win amount is less than said average machine net win.
25. A method as defined in claim 23, comprising adjusting said monetary payment amount if said leased machine net win amount is determined to be less than said average machine net win.
26. A method as defined in claim 23 further comprising the step of subtracting an additional monetary amount from said leased machine net win amount prior to determining said monetary payment amount.
27. A method as defined in claim 23 wherein said percentage is a variable percentage.
28. A method as defined in claim 27, comprising decreasing said percentage when said leased machine net win amount is less than said average machine net win.
29. A method as defined in claim 23, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on a geographic characteristic.
30. A method as defined in claim 29, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on one of the following geographic characteristics: at least one of a bank of casino gaming machines, at least one section of floor space, or an entire casino.
31. A method as defined claim 23, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on one of the following common characteristics: a denomination, a title, a theme, a math model, a common system connection, a common jackpot.
32. A method as defined in claim 23, comprising modifying a game content provided to said leased casino gaming machine for said same monetary payment amount.
33. A method as defined in claim 23, wherein said second time period is concurrent with said first time period.
34. A method of leasing a space on a gaming floor of a casino for placement of a new casino gaming machine, said method comprising:
determining a monetary average machine net win in monetary units per casino gaming machine per unit of time for a group of existing casino gaming machines located on said gaming floor of said casino, said monetary average machine net win being calculated by dividing a total net win amount for a first time period at all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group by the total number of said existing casino gaming machines in said group of casino gaming machines, said total net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group minus a total paid out amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award, said group of existing gaming machines being defined based on a characteristic associated with each of said gaming machines in said group;
negotiating a lease percentage to be taken of a new machine net win amount over a second time period, said negotiated percentage being based on said monetary average machine net win; said new casino gaming machine comprising a game display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller that is programmed to allow a player to make a wager, to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game, and to cause a video image representing one of the following games to be generated on said game display unit: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo;
receiving at least a portion of electronic funds wagered at said new casino gaming machine over said second time period;
determining a monetary payment amount for said space on said gaming floor of said casino for said second time period, said monetary payment amount equaling said percentage of said new machine net win amount, said new machine net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount at said new gaming machine over said second time period minus a total amount paid out to all players playing at said new gaming machine over said second time period and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award over the second time period; and
paying said monetary payment amount to said casino for said space on said gaming floor of said casino for said second time period.
35. A method as defined in claim 34, comprising adjusting said monetary payment amount if said new machine net win amount is determined to be less than said average machine net win.
36. A method as defined in claim 34, further comprising the step of subtracting an additional monetary amount from said new machine net win amount prior to determining said monetary payment amount.
37. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein said percentage is a variable percentage.
38. A method as defined in claim 37, comprising increasing said percentage when said new machine net win amount is less than said average machine net win.
39. A method as defined in claim 34, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on a geographic characteristic.
40. A method as defined in claim 39, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on one of the following geographic characteristics: at least one of a bank of casino gaming machines, at least one section of floor space, or an entire casino.
41. A method as defined claim 34, comprising identifying said group of existing gaming machines based on one of the following common characteristics: a denomination, a title, a theme, a math model, a common system connection, a common jackpot.
42. A method as defined in claim 34, comprising modifying a game content provided to said leased casino gaming machine for said same monetary payment amount.
43. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein said first time period is concurrent with said second time period.
44. A method of leasing a space on a gaming floor of a casino for placement of a new slot machine, said method comprising:
determining a monetary average machine net win in monetary units per casino gaming machine per unit of time for a group of existing casino gaming machines located on said gaming floor of said casino that includes said space on said gaming floor, said monetary average machine net win being calculated by dividing a total net win amount for a first time period at all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group by the total number of said existing casino gaming machines in said group of casino gaming machines, said total, net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group minus a total paid out amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award;
initiating shipment of said new slot machine to said casino for placement on said space of said gaming floor of said casino, said new slot machine comprising a housing, a game display unit having a first mechanically rotatable slot reel, a second mechanically rotatable slot reel, and a third mechanically rotatable slot reel, wherein said slot reels are disposed in said housing so that said mechanically rotatable slot reels are at least partially visible to a player of said new slot machine, a value input device, and a controller that is programmed to allow a player to make a wager, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game utilizing said mechanically rotatable slot reels;
receiving at least a portion of electronic funds wagered at said new slot machine over a second time period;
determining a monetary payment amount for said space on said gaming floor of said casino for said second time period based on said average machine net win, said monetary payment amount equaling a percentage of a new slot machine net win amount, said new slot machine net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount at said new slot machine over said second time period minus a total amount paid out to all players playing at said new slot machine over said second time period and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award over the second time period; and
paying said monetary payment amount to said casino for said space on said gaming floor of said casino for said second time period.
45. A method as defined in claim 44, comprising increasing said monetary payment amount by a percentage of said new slot machine net win amount.
46. A method of leasing a plurality of spaces on a gaming floor of a casino for placement of a plurality of new casino gaming machines, said method comprising:
determining an aggregate machine net win amount in monetary units per unit of time for a group of existing casino gaming machines located on said gaming floor of said casino that includes said space on said gaming floor, said aggregate machine net win amount equalling a total net win amount for a first time period at all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group of casino gaming machines, said total net win amount equaling a total coin-in amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group minus a total paid out amount for all of said existing casino gaming machines in said group and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award;
negotiating a lease percentage to be taken of a plurality of new machine net win amounts over a second time period, said negotiated percentage being based on said aggregate machine net win amount; said new casino gaming machines comprising a game display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller that is programmed to allow a player to make a wager, to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game, and to cause a video image representing one of the following games to be generated on said game display unit: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo;
receiving at least a portion of electronic funds wagered at said new casino gaming machines over said second time period;
determining a monetary payment amount for said spaces on said gaming floor of said casino for said second time period, said monetary payment amount equaling said percentage of said new machine net win amounts, said new machine net win amounts equaling a total coin-in amount at said new gaming machines over said second time period minus a total amount paid out to all players playing at said new gaming machines over said second time period and minus any amounts escrowed for a future jackpot or award over the second time period; and
paying said monetary payment amount to said casino for said spaces on said gaming floor of said casino for said second time period.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for assembling a gas turbine engine, said method comprising:
coupling a maintenance tool to the gas turbine engine such that the maintenance tool enables the gas turbine engine to be selectively rotated during non-operational periods and such that the maintenance tool is coupled to the gas turbine engine during normal operation, wherein the maintenance tool includes a drive portion and a housing circumscribing the drive portion wherein the housing comprises an inner surface that is tapered to define a tapered channel and a seal between the housing and the drive portion such that when the maintenance tool is engaged to rotate the gas turbine engine, the pressure on the seal is less than when the tool is disengaged; and rotating the drive portion to facilitate rotating the gas turbine engine, wherein the drive portion is rotatable in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1, said method further comprising:
coupling the housing to a gas turbine engine gearbox.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the maintenance tool comprises a biasing mechanism, said method further comprising:
inserting the drive portion through the biasing mechanism; and
depressing the drive portion such the drive portion moves in a first direction and such that at least a portion of the drive portion is engaged with the gearbox and such that the biasing mechanism is at least partially depressed.
4. A method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising releasing the drive portion such that the biasing mechanism moves the drive portion in a second direction.
5. A method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising releasing the drive portion such that the biasing mechanism moves the drive portion to a standby or disengage position.
6. A maintenance tool for a gas turbine engine, said maintenance tool comprising:
a housing coupled to the gas turbine engine; and
a drive portion inserted at least partially through said housing, said drive portion configured to enable the gas turbine engine to be selectively rotated during non-operational periods, said drive portion is rotatable in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, said maintenance tool is coupled to the gas turbine engine during normal operation;
wherein said housing comprises an inner surface that is tapered to define a tapered channel and a seal between said housing and said drive portion such that when the maintenance tool is engaged to rotate the gas turbine engine, the pressure on the seal is less than when the tool is disengaged.
7. A maintenance tool in accordance with claim 6 wherein said maintenance tool is coupled to a gas turbine engine gearbox.
8. A maintenance tool in accordance with claim 6 further comprising a biasing mechanism circumscribing the drive portion.
9. A maintenance tool in accordance with claim 6 further comprising:
a wiper circumscribing said drive portion; and
a wiper housing configured to secure said wiper to said housing.
10. A maintenance tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein said wiper housing comprises a recess and said drive portion comprises a shoulder, said biasing mechanism coupled between said recess and said shoulder.
11. A maintenance tool in accordance with claim 6 wherein said drive portion comprises a hexagonal head sized to receive at least one of a socket and a wrench.
12. A maintenance tool in accordance with claim 6 wherein said drive portion comprises a stopper to facilitate limiting the travel of said drive portion during operation.
13. A maintenance tool in accordance with claim 7 wherein said drive portion comprises a substantially square second end that is sized to engage said gearbox.
14. A gas turbine engine comprising: a compressor; a combustor; a turbine coupled to said compressor; a gearbox coupled to at least one of said compressor and said turbine; and a maintenance tool coupled to said gearbox, said maintenance tool comprising
a housing coupled to said gearbox; and
a drive portion inserted at least partially through said housing, said drive portion configured to enable the gas turbine engine to be selectively rotated during non-operational periods, said drive portion is rotatable in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, said maintenance tool is coupled to the gas turbine engine during normal operation;
wherein said housing comprises an inner surface that is tapered to define a tapered channel and a seal between said housing and said drive portion such that when the maintenance tool is engaged to rotate the gas turbine engine, the pressure on the seal is less than when the tool is disengaged.
15. A gas turbine engine in accordance with claim 14 wherein said maintenance tool further comprises:
a biasing mechanism circumscribing the drive portion;
a wiper circumscribing said drive portion; and
a wiper housing configured to secure said wiper to said housing.
16. A gas turbine engine in accordance with claim 15 wherein said wiper housing comprises a recess and said drive portion comprises a shoulder, said biasing mechanism coupled between said recess and said shoulder.
17. A gas turbine engine in accordance with claim 14 wherein said drive portion comprises a hexagonal head sized to receive at least one of a socket and a wrench to rotate said drive portion.
18. A gas turbine engine in accordance with claim 14 wherein said drive portion comprises a stopper to facilitate limiting the travel of said drive portion during operation.
19. A gas turbine engine in accordance with claim 14 wherein said drive portion comprises a substantially square second end that is sized to engage said gearbox.